Arts Agenda
>> Forty years ago today, Apollo 11 launched to take the first manned mission to the Moon. Included in the celebrations at the National Air & Space Museum is an exhibition of paintings by Alan Bean, a former NASA astronaut and the fourth person to walk on the Moon, with the Apollo 12 mission. After resigning from NASA in 1981, he became a full-time artist, using an eye that's seen parts of the universe most of us will never see to create reams of space-themed paintings. His work is on display though next January. Space enthusiasts should check the museum's calendar for Apollo 11 events all through July, and be sure to check out the web site We Choose the Moon to watch Eagle and Columbia travel to the Moon in real time with some impressive animation and the archived audio tapes between Mission Control and the astronauts playing continuously.
>> DCAC's annual Wall Mountables exhibit opens on Friday with a reception from 7 to 9 p.m. The gallery is divided into two by two foot squares, which artists acquired first come, first served during installation yesterday. The exhibit is typically an Artomatic re-deux (many artists uninstalled Artomatic last week and walked their artwork straight over to DCAC), but one that you can actually view in a single visit, at least. Expect some affordable work, for those of you with empty wall space over your couch.
>> This week's summer art party is at 1248 Blagden Alley NW for D.C. Freshly Squeezed, where 12 emerging artists and three DJs will keep you company from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. The venue has limited capacity and the party is 21 and over with a $20 expected donation, so you might want to just check out the art on your own time for free this Sunday through next Wednesday, 1 to 8 p.m.
>> Capitol Skyline Hotel has played host every weekend to a variety of parties and art events this summer. Week 8 of Brightest Young Things' Summer Camp is horror themed, Camp Crystal Lake, Saturday, 12 to 8 p.m., $10. On Sunday, see experimental video curated by Brandon Morse and Leigh Conner from Conner Contemporary and the Rubell Family Collection (6 to 9 p.m.), along with a Synchroswim performance and competition in the pool by Washington Project for the Arts (6 to 7 p.m.) [Ed. note: Correction made to days; Summer Camp is on Saturday, the other two events are on Sunday]
>> The Athenaeum Gallery opens an exhibit by Thomas Drymon, Working Across Media and the Creative Process, encompassing painting, photography, video and installation. See how he puts it all together during the reception on Sunday, 4 p.m.
>> The Washington Printmakers Gallery is having a movie night tomorrow from 7 to 9 p.m. featuring shorts and documentaries from the print shops included in their ongoing exhibit, Meet Your Printmaker. Or hear some of the printers speak during a Q&A on Saturday, 1 to 3 p.m.
>> The Sackler Gallery opens Moving Perspectives on Saturday, featuring the miniature painting and video art of Shahzia Sikander and Sun Xun. The elegance and abstract designs of Sikander's work "becomes a buzzing hive" of "calligraphy whirls," while Xun's world of fantasy tells darker tales. See it during the museum's regular hours.
>> Tonight in the Kogod Courtyard, listen to the Bay Jazz Project while enjoying a board game from 5 to 8 p.m. On Saturday, the Smithsonian American Art Museum features Nationals Baseball Family Day from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., with games, hot dogs and Cracker Jacks, classic baseball songs, and of course, some Nationals players themselves.
>> Next Tuesday, visit the opening reception at the Japanese Information & Culture Center for The Allure of Contemporary Japanese Prints featuring Yozo Hamaguchi on the centennial of his birth (he died in 2000), along with three other artists, highlighting their diverse techniques. Tomomi Ono and Yumeka Fujita will be guest speakers during the reception, beginning 6:30 p.m. Free but reservations are required, contact jiccrsvpsummer09[at]embjapan.org or 202-238-6949.
Art Notes:
- The Torpedo Factory Art Center has free live music on most Thursdays through September. Tonight hear some jazz and ragtime from the Dave Tucker Trio and check out the gallery while you're there. 7 to 9 p.m.
- Hillyer's monthly open night poetry night is tomorrow. Sign up at 6 p.m., listen at 7 p.m. $5 for non-members.
- A reception for the works of Pepa Leon will be in the lobby at 505 9th Street NW next Tuesday from 5:30 to 7 p.m., sponsored by the Reyes + Davis Gallery.
- Meet the artists in Gallery Neptune's ongoing abstract paining exhibit on Saturday at 2 p.m., or stop by Sunday at 8 p.m. for some jazz and beat poetry.